The rapid expansion of Padel, the international aspect that professional competition has adapted in recent years and the evolution of high-level players beyond Spain and Latin America invites one to ask the question of why Padel is not yet an Olympic sport.
In the last Olympic event, Tokyo 2021, it was possible to see new disciplines such as surfing, sport climbing or skateboarding. In London 2012 women's boxing was included and in Paris 2024 breakdancing will be a new Olympic category.
Therefore, if the International Olympic Committee (IOC) studies and gradually includes new disciplines to the most important event in world sport, why hasn't Padel even been considered an Olympic sport?
What does a sports discipline need to be an Olympic sport?
Well then, for a sport to be Olympic it must meet the requirements established in the Olympic Charter . This document contains the fundamental principles, rights and Olympic obligations.
For a sport to receive the Olympic Charter it must meet the following criteria:
- The sport is endorsed by an International Federation: “the IOC can recognize as IF international non-governmental organizations that govern one or several sports worldwide and, by extension, organizations recognized by the IF as governing bodies of these sports worldwide. at the national level”, confirms the Olympic Charter.
In the case of Padel, the International Padel Federation (FIP) is the body in charge of regulating this sport for more than twenty years. In addition, one of his tasks in recent years has been to promote and promote the candidacy of Padel as an Olympic sport. Furthermore, there are currently 50 national federations.
- Apply the Anti-Doping Code: the IOC requires compliance with the conditions contained in the World Anti-Doping Code.
- Sports presence in 75 countries and 4 continents : that is, that the sport, in this case Padel, is implemented in 75 countries for the male modality and 40 countries and 3 continents in the case of the female modality.
The last obstacle that a sports discipline has to overcome to be Olympic is the approval by the IOC. Through a vote, the IOC Executive Council chooses three years in advance of the following Olympic Games which sports will take place in the largest sports showcase in the world
At what point is the world padel currently?
A priori, the three fundamental requirements promulgated by the IOC are achievable in Padel. However, in quantitative terms it may be the latter that poses the most difficulties.
According to the FIP, Padel is practiced in more than 90 countries. This translates into more than 18 million Padel players worldwide and more than 300,000 sports licenses, according to Deloitte. Another fact that confirms the worldwide success of Padel is the rapid expansion of Padel courts. In the last two years, more than 270 million euros have been invested in the construction of tracks around the world.
The growth of Padel is unstoppable. The number of players does not stop growing and with it its popularity. This, added to the growth of television audiences for professional Padel and the new international competitions such as Premier Padel, leave a hopeful scenario for Padel to be considered an Olympic sport.
When will Padel be an Olympic sport?
If Padel continues to grow at the dizzying pace that it has done in the last five years, the dream of seeing Padel at the Olympics may be closer than it seems.
All eyes are on Brisbane 2032, while the Paris and Los Angeles dates have already been scrapped.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of amateur and beginner players start a beautiful love story for this sport. A passion that has crossed borders beyond Spain, Argentina or Mexico, cradles of world padel.
racket, shoes, Padel clothes and a few friends will be until then the weapons of expansion of a sport that sooner rather than later will also end up fulfilling its Olympic dream.
